Weathering and Erosion: Epic 4th/5th Grade Classroom Mission

Storyline

Using their knowledge of weathering and erosion, the crew will try to save a city from landslides.

A colony on Vespus 1 is in a state of emergency. Many of their buildings have been swept away by landslides, and it’s continuing to happen! The city had an emergency meeting to talk about what might be causing the landslides. In that meeting, they came up with a list of possible reasons this is happening. We need to investigate those and provide a solution before the whole city is destroyed! In this mission, students will be investigating data to determine whether the landslide is caused by building construction problems, rapid change in temperature, heavy rainfall, or wind erosion to determine the best solution that main problem.

Est. time: 22 min

Targeted Standards

3-Dimensional Science

Phenomenon

Weathering, erosion, and deposition cause changes to Earth's surface.

Science and Engineering Practices

Planning and carrying out investigations

Students determine which factors, variables, and questions are important when investigating the effects of erosion. Students carry out an investigation to determine which form of erosion is causing the landslides in Exesa. Students make observations about data, graphs, and charts presented. Students analyze factors and variables need to be considered when investigating erosion.

Asking questions or defining problems

Students determine which questions are helpful when conducting an investigation.

Analyzing and interpreting data

Students analyze and interpret data to determine which form of erosion is causing the landslide.

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and effect

Students observe the effects of the erosion (landslide) and investigate which form of erosion is the primary cause.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems

Rainfall helps to shape the land and affects the types of living things found in a region. Water, ice, wind, living organisms, and gravity break rocks, soils, and sediments into smaller particles and move them around.

Landslide